Hand-Powered Damper Testing

The disclosure relates generally to devices and techniques for testing the performance characteristics of dampers or shock absorbers.

Dampers, also known as shock absorbers, are integral components in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. As the name implies, they function to dampen and absorb shock impulses as the vehicle travels over uneven surfaces, contributing to the overall performance, stability, and comfort of the vehicle. The performance of a damper can be evaluated using a device known as a damper dynamometer, or “damper dyno” for short. A damper dyno typically measures the force versus velocity characteristics of a damper. This is achieved by applying a load to the damper and measuring the resulting displacement and velocity. The data collected can then be used to generate graphs that provide insights into the performance of the shock absorber.

Conventional damper dynos, used by automotive and suspension system manufacturers, are equipped with motors and hydraulic or pneumatic systems which compress and extend the damper with controlled forces that simulate real-word conditions. These damper dynos have a large, stationary frame that is capable of withstanding the high forces and repetitive motion of the machinery. The frame rests on the shop floor and requires a relatively large, dedicated space to install and operate the damper dyno. These damper dynos also require a significant amount of power to operate. While these damper dynos are valuable tools for evaluating the performance characteristics of dampers, the cost and size make them prohibitively expensive and difficult to use for many applications.

Systems and methods presented herein provide for assessing damper performance with a damper tester that is manually powered, adjustable, and portable. Adjustable components accommodate different damper types and sizes and allow a human operator to ergonomically provide compression/expansion force to the damper without the use of motors, related heavy machinery, and specialized power equipment (e.g., 240 volt or 3-phase power outlets and related electronics), reducing cost and simplifying operation while still providing accurate damper performance measurements. The damper tester is foldable and transportable for installation at different sites with ease. For example, it may be secured to a shop wall where it does not take up valuable floor space, or mounted on a vehicle structure where it can be used on-site at a track or motorsport event. This enables, for example, small motorsport shops or enthusiasts to test or rebuild dampers in areas where floor space is limited or at remote sites.

One embodiment is an apparatus including a first frame member, second frame member, and handle. The first frame member is configured to couple with a first end of a damper. The second frame member is pivotably coupled with the first frame member. The second frame member is configured to couple with a second end of the damper. The handle is coupled to the second frame member. The handle is configured to receive a manual force from a human operator to pivot the second frame member. The first frame member is configured to couple with a wall structure to suspend the first frame member off the ground and in a fixed position as the second frame member pivots to compress or extend the damper for performance testing.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes a displacement sensor configured to measure displacement of the damper as the second frame member pivots relative to the first frame member; a force sensor configured to measure force produced by the damper as the second frame member pivots relative to the first frame member; and a transceiver configured to receive displacement data from the displacement sensor and force data from the force sensor, and to transmit the displacement data and the force data to a computer device to display damping characteristics of the damper.

In a further embodiment, the force sensor comprises a load cell positioned between the damper and the second frame member. In another further embodiment, the displacement sensor comprises an angular potentiometer aligned with a hinge axis of the second frame member. In a further embodiment, the first frame member includes a first attachment structure configured to attach to the first end of the damper, the first attachment structure being adjustable along a length of the first frame member; and the second frame member includes a second attachment structure configured to attach to the second end of the damper, the second attachment structure being adjustable along a length of the second frame member. In yet a further embodiment, the first frame member is a first hollow tubular structure, comprising: a back side including one or more fastener support holes to secure the back side to the wall structure via one or more fasteners; side walls including opposing pairs of holes to support the first attachment structure; and a front side including an opening to access a hollow interior of the first hollow tubular structure, wherein the opening aligns with the one or more fastener support holes of the back side to access the one or more fasteners to attach or detach the back side to or from the wall structure.

In a further embodiment, the second frame member is a second hollow tubular structure, comprising: a back side including a series of holes spaced lengthwise to support the second attachment structure; and a front side including an opening to access a hollow interior of the second hollow tubular structure. In yet a further embodiment, the handle comprises: a tubular sleeve coupled to the back side of the second frame member; a telescoping arm configured to slide and secure with respect to the tubular sleeve; and a handlebar coupled to the telescoping arm. In another further embodiment, the first frame member and the second frame member are configured to fold about a hinge axis to a closed position in which respective front sides face and contact each other; and in the closed position, the first attachment structure situates at least partially through the opening in the front side of the second frame member, and the second attachment structure situates at least partially through the opening in the front side of the first frame member.

Another embodiment is a method for testing a damper using a damper testing device. The method includes securing a first frame member of the damper testing device to a wall to suspend the first frame member off the ground and in a fixed position; mounting the damper between the first frame member and a second frame member that is pivotably attached to the first frame member; and applying a manual force to the second frame member to compress or extend the damper as the second frame member pivots to test a performance of the damper.

In a further embodiment, the method includes receiving, from sensors coupled to the damper testing device, displacement data and force data measured during the test of the damper; generating damper performance data based on the displacement data and the force data; and displaying the damper performance data. In a further embodiment, the method includes receiving input indicating the type of the damper to be installed with the damper testing device; and generating, based on the type of damper, a first notification for a user indicating first instructions for attaching the damper to the damper testing device. In yet a further embodiment, the method includes receiving confirmation that the damper is attached to the damper testing device according to the first instructions; generating, in response to the confirmation, a second notification for the user indicating second instructions for calibration of one or more sensors of the damper testing device; generating, in response to confirming the calibration of the one or more sensors, a third notification for the user indicating third instructions for hand-operating the damper testing device to test the damper; and generating the damper performance data based on the type of damper and the displacement data and the force data.

Yet another embodiment is a damper dyno system. The damper dyno system includes a damper dyno, comprising: a first frame member configured to couple with a first end of a damper; a second frame member pivotably coupled with the first frame member, the second frame member configured to couple with a second end of the damper; a handle coupled to the second frame member, the handle configured to receive a manual force from a human operator to pivot the second frame member; and sensors configured to measure displacement and force of the damper as the second frame member pivots relative to the first frame member; wherein the first frame member is configured to couple with a wall structure to suspend the first frame member off the ground and in a fixed position as the second frame member pivots to compress or extend the damper for performance testing. The damper dyno system also includes a damper dyno computer system, comprising: an interface configured to receive displacement data and force data from the sensors; a processor configured to generate damping characteristics of the damper based on the displacement data and the force data; and a display configured to display the damping characteristics of the damper. In a further embodiment, the damper dyno computer system further comprises data storage configured to store dyno configuration data for different types of dampers, wherein the processor is configured to generate instructions for operating the damper dyno based on the dyno configuration data.

The figures and the following description illustrate specific illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the disclosure, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. As a result, the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.

is a perspective view of a damper testerin an illustrative embodiment. In general, damper testeris used for testing the performance of a damper, also known as a shock absorber. Dampermay comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic damper for use with a vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicles, etc.), bicycle, or various industrial applications. For use with a vehicle, for example, damperfunctions to smooth out or dampen the motion of the vehicle over uneven surfaces. To test the performance of damper, it may be removed from the vehicle and mounted to damper tester.

Damper testerincludes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a hinge. First frame memberis configured to attach to a rigid structure, such as a wall of a building or automotive shop, to provide a stable base for damper testerduring testing. Second frame memberis coupled to first frame membervia hinge. Second frame membermay also include or couple with a handleto receive manual force of a human operator, and translate the force into pivoting movement of second frame member.

Damperis mounted between first frame memberand second frame memberfor testing. In particular, first frame memberincludes a first attachment structureconfigured to attach to one end of damper, and second frame memberincludes a second attachment structureconfigured to attach to the other end of damper. First attachment structureand/or second attachment structuremay be adjustable along their respective axis to adjust the mounting position of damper. With damperattached and disposed between first frame memberand second frame member, handlemay be manually controlled to pivot second frame memberabout hinge, applying force to damperand causing it to compress or extend.

In one embodiment, damper testeris operated without the use of electronic devices such as sensors, and damperis tested by manually controlling the speed and force of second frame memberand observing the response of damper. Handlecoupled to second frame membermay provide direct tactile feedback to the operator. As damperresists movement, the operator can feel the resistance through handle, giving an immediate sense of the stiffness and damping characteristics of damper. For instance, the operator may feel damperis damaged or not performing correctly if its resistance is significantly decreased from its normal operating state.

is a perspective view of a damper testerin another illustrative embodiment. As shown in, damper testerin some embodiments may include, in addition to the mechanical components previously described with respect to, one or more sensors for measuring performance of damper. In particular, damper testermay include a force sensorand displacement sensor. In such embodiments, damper testermay also be referred to as a damper dynamometer or damper dyno.

During testing, force sensormeasures a force of damperas it undergoes compression and/or rebound. Simultaneously, displacement sensormeasures the movement (e.g., distance and/or velocity) of damperas it undergoes compression and/or rebound. That is, as second frame membermoves due to an external manual force applied to handle, force sensorand displacement sensormeasure the response of damperto these forces, such as its damping rate and resistance to movement. Force sensorand displacement sensorprovide measurements to a dyno processing system, which may or may not be a component of damper tester.

Dyno processing systemmay process and align the measurement data and generate force-displacement graphs and/or force-velocity graphs. Such graphs serve as a valuable tool for evaluating the performance and behavior of damperunder different operating conditions. For example, a force-velocity graph may show how the damping force varies depending on direction of movement (compression or rebound). That is, the slope and shape of the curve may differ between compression damping (when damperis being compressed) and rebound damping (when damperis being extended), providing insight into hysteresis and the energy dissipation and efficiency of damper. Various graph characteristics may inform the human operator how to fine-tune damperfor performance, efficiency, and durability for specific applications.

Damper testers/provide several technical advantages over conventional damper testing devices and damper dynos. As compared to damper dynos which can only be placed on a horizontal surface such as the ground, a floor, or a table, damper testers/, having features that enable easily attaching and detaching to walls or structures off the floor, provides several benefits in terms of enhanced stability, space optimization, and portability. Moreover, the structure of damper testers/allows for human-powered operation, offering enhanced control and sensitivity during testing. It also features a foldable structure for ease of storage and transportation, as well as adjustable mounting points for compatibility with a wide range of damper models and damper mounting angles. The handle adjustability, alone or in combination with the adjustable mounting points, also provide customization options for the user's desired range of motion, leverage, ergonomics, and test conditions. Still further, damper testers/are suitable to be equipped with various sensors to measure forces, displacements, and velocities, providing comprehensive data on the damper's behavior under test conditions, enabling precise analysis of the damper's performance, including its efficiency, durability, and suitability for specific applications at remote sites. Further details of these features as well as additional features and advantages are discussed below.

is a perspective view of a first frame memberin an illustrative embodiment. First frame memberis an example of first frame membershown and described with respect to. First frame memberincludes a hollow tubular bodythat is square or rectangular in shape with a front side, back side, and sides. Sides-may comprise flat surfaces, enabling secure attachment of back sideto a wall or similar structure, as well as secure, adjustable attachment with a damper, as described in further detail below. When attached to a wall or similar structure, first frame membermay provide an elongated vertical structure suspended from ground, enabling space savings and a secure structure that is fixed for damper testing accuracy and safety. First frame membermay comprise a material of suitable strength for withstanding the manual forces applied for damper testing, such as steel, aluminum, or a composite material.

Front sidemay include one or more openings-, such as an upper opening, middle opening, and lower opening. Openings-provide access to the hollow area of hollow tubular bodyto facilitate mounting of first frame memberto another structure. In this example, upper openingprovides access to an upper fastener, middle openingprovides access to a middle fastener, and lower openingprovides access to a lower fastener. Each fastener-is configured to insert through a corresponding fastener hole(only one shown infor clarity of illustration) of back sideto secure with a wall or similar structure. Fasteners-advantageously facilitate first frame memberbeing easily switched between an upright position and an upside-down position, depending on user damper testing preference. It may be desirable or more ergonomic, for instance, for a user to operate damper testerupside-down to measure damper rebound (i.e., extending the damper) or prioritize rebound testing over compression testing. This may be easily accomplished by detaching upper fastenerand lower fastener, loosening middle fastenerto allow rotation of first frame memberto the desired position, and reattaching fasteners-.

Middle openingmay comprise a cutout in the material of front sidethat is configured to expose the interior of hollow tubular bodyfor attaching and detaching a at various locations up and down a length of first frame member. Middle openingmay extend lengthwise to expose and provide access to pairs of holes located on sidesat different locations along the length of hollow tubular body. For instance, middle openingmay extend from an upper pair of holesproximate to an upper portion of hollow tubular bodyto a pair of lower holesproximate to a lower portion of hollow tubular body. In some embodiments, first frame membermay include a series of pairs of holes (e.g., between five and ten pairs, not all of which are labelled infor clarity of illustration) on its sidesto support incremental vertical adjustment of damper attachment structure.

The removed material of middle openingand hollow tubular bodycontribute to the lightweight design and portability of first frame member. Front sidemay nonetheless include some flat surface material, such as an area above upper pair of holesand below upper openingand an area below lower pair of holesand above lower opening, to provide rigidity in the structure of first frame memberto support its attachments and withstand testing forces. The cutout created by middle openingmay also serve to house one or more features of the second frame member inside first frame memberwhen in a folded or stowed configuration. For example, the attachment structure, force sensor, and/or displacement sensor attached to the second frame member may stow inside the hollow area of first frame memberto enhance portability and protection of components during transport.

Each pair of holes along sidesare configured to align and attach with features of damper attachment structuresuch that damper attachment structureis adjustable at different positions up and down the length of first frame member. In this example, damper attachment structureincludes a base platewith an upper sleeveand a lower sleeve. Upper sleeveand lower sleeveare each attachable to a pair of holes (e.g., via respective bolts-) along sidesto position damper attachment structureat a desired location on the length of first frame member.

A damper mounting plateconnects to, and extends forward from, base plate. Damper mounting platemay comprise an L-shaped bracket with a base portion attached to base platevia one or more bolts, and an arm portion extending forward and including a hole to support a damper connection boltfor attaching to one end of a damper. In one embodiment, damper mounting plateis swappable with one or more other versions having a different attachment structure to accommodate different types of dampers.

show example supporting structures for a damper testing device disclosed herein.is a perspective view of a first support structurein an illustrative embodiment. First support structureincludes a base memberconfigured to support and suspend a vertical support member. In one embodiment, base membercomprises a hitch receiver member (e.g., as shown in) configured to couple with a hitch receiver of an automobile. Alternatively, base membermay comprise a vice base structure configured to vice grip with another structure. Vertical support membermay thus provide a stable wall structure for attaching with and securely supporting a first frame member (e.g., first frame member/) of a damper tester. This advantageously enables use of the damper tester at remote locations such as on-site at a track or motorsport event.

is a perspective view of a second support structurein an illustrative embodiment. Second support structureincludes a ground platethat rests on the floor or ground. Ground platesupports a vertical support memberto couple with a first frame member (e.g., first frame member/) of a damper tester. Accordingly, a damper tester such as that disclosed herein may retain the option of using the damper tester using the ground or floor as support if desired, enabling use of the damper tester at various locations.

is a perspective view of a third support structurein an illustrative embodiment. Third support structureincludes an upper horizontal support member, a lower horizontal support member, and a vertical support membercoupled between horizontal support members-. In one embodiment, horizontal support members-comprise rigid members configured to attach with wall, such as wooden studs. In another embodiment, horizontal support members-comprise straps configured to attach around another object, such as a tree. In any case, horizontal support members-support vertical support memberwhich in turn provides a stable wall structure for attaching with and securely supporting a first frame member (e.g., first frame member/) of a damper tester, enabling use of the damper tester at various locations.

is another perspective view of a damper testerin an illustrative embodiment.shows a hinge mechanismwhich is an example of hingeshown in.also shows details of a second frame memberwhich is an example of second frame membershown and described with respect to.

Hinge mechanismgenerally comprises a robust pivot structure to facilitate the relative movement between first frame memberand second frame memberalong a controlled axis of rotation. Hinge mechanismmay pivotably join the respective upper ends of first frame memberand second frame member. For instance, hinge mechanismmay include or attach with plates-disposed at respective ends of first frame memberand second frame member. Plates-may be joined by a hinge bracketsupporting a hinge sleeve, and hinge sleevemay house a pin, bearing, and bushing to provide the pivot axis or hinge axis. In one embodiment, hinge mechanismis supported on top of the upper end of first frame memberand at a position with hinge axisslightly forward from first frame membersuch that hinge mechanismdoes not interfere with a wall structure behind.

Second frame memberincludes a hollow tubular bodythat is square or rectangular in shape with a front sideand back side. Sides-may comprise flat surfaces. Second frame membermay extend from first frame memberthrough a range of horizontal angles. Second frame memberincludes a series of holes(e.g., between five to twelve holes, not all of which are shown or labelled infor clarity of illustration) spaced lengthwise along back sideto support incremental horizontal adjustment of a damper structure, and thus position adjustment of damperalong the length of second frame member. Moreover, when damperis disconnected and removed from damper tester, second frame membermay fold to a closed position where it is flush, or substantially parallel, with first frame member, enhancing portability. Second frame memberand hinge mechanismmay comprise material of suitable strength for withstanding the manual forces applied for damper testing, such as steel, aluminum, or a composite material.

Damper testerincludes a potentiometerpositioned to detect the relative movement between frame memberand second frame memberas damperis compressed or extended. Potentiometeris an example of displacement sensorof. In this example, potentiometeris an angular potentiometer with its shaft positioned in alignment with hinge axis, allowing it to rotate in unison with the movement of second frame member. Potentiometeris mounted on a first bracketwhich is attached at or near a top or upper end portion of first frame member. The rotation axis of potentiometercouples to second frame membervia one or more pivot links-and a second bracket. Second bracketis attached at or near a top or upper end portion of second frame member.

The rotation of potentiometercauses a change in its resistance, which is proportional to the angle through which it has turned. By measuring the change, or rate of change, of this resistance over time, the angular position or velocity of second frame membermay be determined. The angular position or velocity may be used to calculate a compression or extension position or velocity of damper. In one embodiment, a processor, such as that of dyno processing system, receives input from a user indicating an attachment position of damperwith respect to first frame memberand second frame member, and calculates the displacement or velocity of damperbased on the position input and sensor data.

Damper testeralso includes a load cellpositioned between second frame memberand damperto detect force produced by damperas it compresses and extends. Load cellis an example of force sensorof. In this example, load cellextends through an open front faceof second frame member. Open front facemay face or touch the front side (e.g., front sideshown in) of first frame memberwhen in a folded configuration and may facilitate folding and transportation of damper testerby providing a housed space for sensors and/or damper attachment structures of first frame memberand/or second frame member. Load cellmay attach with a back sideof second frame membervia a boltand washer. The other end of load cellmay couple with damper attachment structureof second frame member. Damper attachment structuremay comprise a U-shaped bracketto support a damper connection boltfor attaching to an end of damper.

Handleis coupled with back sideof second frame member. Handleincludes a tubular sleevethat is generally directly or indirectly attached with back sideof second frame memberwith its lengthwise axis parallel, or substantially parallel, with the lengthwise axis of second frame member. In one embodiment, tubular sleeveis indirectly attached with back sideof second frame membervia a block structureto provide a space offset between handleand back side. Handlealso includes a telescoping armto slide lengthwise within tubular sleeve. The space offset provided by block structuremay allow telescoping armto adjust lengthwise without interfering with boltdue to the space offset. Tubular sleeveand telescoping armmay comprise a square or rectangular profile as shown inor may alternatively comprise a round profile.

One or more clamping fasteners, such as wing nuts, may secure or loosen telescoping armwith respect to tubular sleeve, enabling length adjustment of handle, and positioning of handlebarand gripfurther from, or closer to, hinge axisfor desired leverage position during testing. For example, to increase tactile feedback for manually observing damping characteristics, an operator may adjust handleto a short length, and may also adjust damper attachments to orient dampto a more horizontal position, such that the amount of manual force relative to damper travel is increased, and the amount of tactile feedback through handleis increased. In an alternative example, to test damperat higher forces, the operator may increase handle length and orient dampermore vertically to increase leverage such that the amount of manual force relative to damper travel is decreased. An additional technical benefit of handleis that it may be easily adjusted to a desired carrying position, stowed position, or removed for transport.

is a block diagram of a damper dyno systemin an illustrative embodiment. Damper dyno systemincludes a damper dynoand a damper dyno computer system. Damper dynoincludes a damper testerwith a first frame member, second frame member, handle, and hinge, similar to damper testers previously discussed. Various types of damperscan be coupled and uncoupled from damper tester, and dampersmay be attached at various orientations between first frame memberand second frame member. Damper testermay also be supported by various support structures, as previously discussed.

Damper testermay also include, or couple with, a force sensor, displacement sensor, and/or sensor data transceiver. Examples of force sensorinclude load cells, magnetometers, piezoresistive strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, and fiber optic load sensors. Examples of displacement sensorinclude angular potentiometers, linear potentiometers, Hall effect sensors, rotary encoders, linear encoders, laser displacement sensors, inductive proximity sensors, piezoelectric accelerometers, Near Field Communication (NFC) sensors, and variable reluctance sensors. Other examples of sensors which may be used with damper testerinclude temperature sensors, optical motion tracking, video visual tracking, audio tracking, sonar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and LIDAR sensors. Sensors may attach and position with respect to damper testerand/or damperin various manners depending on sensor type. Each sensor may communicate its measurement data to damper dyno computer systemdirectly or via sensor data transceiver.

Damper dyno computer systemincludes a control unitequipped with a processorand memory. Processorexecutes instructions to control the testing process, while memorystores the instructions and temporary data for real-time processing. Damper dyno computer systemalso includes data storageconfigured to collect and store sensor datacollected during damper testing. Additionally, data storagemay store dyno configuration data, which includes settings and parameters specific to each testing scenario. For example, dyno configuration datamay associate a type of damper with the attachment points, or holes of first/second frame members, for installing that type of damper with damper tester. Dyno configuration datamay facilitate quickly and accurately configuring the damper dyno for a variety of tests, optimizing the testing process for different damper types and testing scenarios.

Damper dyno computer systemalso includes an interfaceconfigured to communicate data between the damper dyno and control unit. Interfacemay collect raw data from the sensors operating with the damper dyno, such as force, displacement, and velocity measurements. This data is then relayed to control unit, where it is processed and analyzed. As such, interfaceand control unitmay function as a data acquisition system configured to collect and process sensor data for presentation. Control unitmay thus include hardware components for analog-to-digital conversion and data conditioning, and interfacemay communicate the processed data to another computer or display device. Alternatively or additionally, damper dyno computer systemmay include a graphical user interface (GUI)to display damper measurement data and analysis results, such as force-velocity graphs. GUImay also enable users to input configuration settings, initiate tests, and retrieve stored data from data storage.

In some embodiments, one or more components of damper dyno computer systemmay be included or attached on or near damper tester. For example, one or more data transmission and/or processing components may be attached on, or housed within, a frame member of damper tester, or mounted nearby on the wall structure. Raw or processed data may be wirelessly transmitted (e.g., via sensor data transceiverand/or interface) to a user device, such as a laptop or smartphone, to process and/or visually present the data. As such, components of damper dyno computer systemmay be distributed across multiple devices or systems, and at least some of the components may be integrated with damper testerin portable fashion. In some embodiments, force sensor, displacement sensor, sensor data transceiver, and/or one or more components of damper dyno computer systemmay be battery powered.

is a flowchartillustrating a method for testing a damper in an illustrative embodiment. Steps of flowchartmay include additional or alternative steps not shown, and may be performed in an alternative order.

In step, A first frame member of a damper testing device is secured to a wall to suspend the first frame member off the ground and in a fixed position. In step, a damper is mounted between the first frame member and a second frame member that is pivotably attached to the first frame member. In step, a manual force is applied to the second frame member to compress or extend the damper as the second frame member pivots to test a performance of the damper.

In optional step, force and displacement of the damper is measured as the second frame member pivots to compress or extend the damper. In optional step, damper performance data is generated based on the force and displacement measurements. In optional step, damper performance data is displayed.

is a flowchartillustrating a method for testing a damper in another illustrative embodiment. Steps of flowchartmay include additional or alternative steps not shown, may be performed in an alternative order, and may be performed in conjunction with one or more steps of flowchart.

In step, a processor or damper dyno computer system, receives input indicating the type of the damper to be installed with the damper testing device. In step, the processor generates, based on the type of damper, a first notification for a user indicating first directions for attaching the damper to the damper testing device. In step, the processor receives confirmation that the damper is attached to the damper testing device according to the first directions.

In step, the processor generates, in response to the confirmation, a second notification for the user indicating second directions for calibration of one or more sensors of the damper testing device. In step, the processor generates, in response to confirming the calibration of the one or more sensors, a third notification for the user indicating third directions for hand-operating the damper testing device to test the damper. In step, the processor generates the damper performance data based on the type of damper and the displacement data and the force data.

Embodiments disclosed herein can take the form of software, hardware, firmware, or various combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, software is used to direct a processing system of a system or component described herein to perform the various operations disclosed herein.illustrates a processing systemoperable to execute a computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions to perform desired functions in an illustrative embodiment. Processing systemis operable to perform the above operations by executing programmed instructions tangibly embodied on computer readable storage medium. In this regard, embodiments can take the form of a computer program accessible via computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by a computer or any other instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, computer readable storage mediumcan be anything that can contain or store the program for use by the computer.

Computer readable storage mediumcan be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor device. Examples of computer readable storage mediuminclude a solid state memory, a magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), and DVD.